How to treat arthritis

If you have arthritis, then you know how painful this disorder can be. As such you may be searching for ways in which to treat your arthritis. Here are some things that you can do to help yourself:

You can use alternative medicine to treat your arthritis. Here is how:

•  Purchase an inexpensive miniature trampoline and spend 20 minutes using it 3 or 4 times a week.

•  Take 30 to 40 sessions on the “Alexander Technique,” which is a calm, easy way to exercise.

•  Purchase a stair climber as this can alleviate symptoms through consistent, low-key use.

You can use medicine to treat your arthritis. Here is how:

•  If you have mild arthritis, try an over-the-counter medication such as Aspirin, Motrin or Aleve.

•  Have your doctor prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs).

•  Take a remittive agent, which will induce the remission of arthritis such as Methotrexate, Arava or Plaquenil, which will work within a few weeks to a few months.

•  Take a disease modifying, anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), such as Remicade, Humira or Enbrel. These are given through an injection or intravenously so that they stop the inflammatory process from working.

•  Try B-cell depletion therapy, which works because the B cells in your immune system are the main culprits when it comes to arthritis.

You can use natural means to treat your arthritis. Here is how:

•  Look into natural anti-inflammatories such as ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper. They can be purchased as powdered capsules at the health food store or you can simply use them daily in your cooking.

•  Take Omega-3 oils, which are highly effective in reducing the pain and inflammation of arthritis. These oils can be found in walnuts, salmon and flax seeds or purchased in capsules at the local health food store.

•  Frequently stretching and using light weights will increase the blood flow to your joints and releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers.

•  Use glucosamine and chrondroitin, which are natural collagen-builders that restore cartilage and ligament tissue that arthritis has damaged. These both can be found in the vitamin section of most grocery stores. This is especially helpful for osteoarthritis.

•  Eat 7 to 9 servings of brightly colored fruits and vegetables each day because they have naturally occurring antioxidants in them.

•  Try to avoid eating dairy products, red meat, eggplant, bell peppers, potatoes and tomatoes because these foods are believed to promote inflammation and increase pain. Some people will notice the changes while others will not.

You can use folk medicine to treat your arthritis. Here is how:

•  Add starch to your diet.

•  Comfort your pain by drinking water with black strap molasses.

•  Rub raw garlic or ginger on your painful areas until the oil from the garlic begins to soak in.

You can use holistic medicine to treat your arthritis. Here is how:

•  The herbs angelica, ginger and devil's claw will help with pain.

•  An Epsom salt bath will increase your circulation and reduce your swelling.

•  Maintain a healthy body weight so that you can avoid complications and discomfort.

•  Make sure that you do not have any food allergies, especially to wheat, nuts, oats and dairy.

•  Try Tai Chi to reduce your arthritic symptoms. There is a good DVD entitled "Tai Chi for Arthritis" available. This works because it involves stretching, reducing stress, teaches you to breathe through your pain and is a form of exercise.